Volunteer FAQ

Why are volunteers so important to Hospice of Michigan?

Your role as a volunteer is integral to our organization. Whether you’re working alongside our care-giving team, or assisting with office or event planning, we count on volunteers to support our end-of-life mission.

How long is the training?

Six-hour training is required for volunteers who want to work directly with patients and families, and four hours for those who want to serve in other ways, such as office work or special events.

What is covered in the training?

You will receive instruction on the roles of the hospice team members, including: the patient’s physician, hospice physician, nurse, social worker, spiritual care counselor, hospice aide, and grief support counselor. Any given volunteer role will be explained to you, so that you can determine if it’s a good fit.

Can I volunteer for work other than patient care?

Yes. We need volunteers to help with fundraisers, marketing and mailing, grief support, public speaking, computer and IT assistance, sewing, Hospice of Michigan improvement, hair styling, and more.

What is the time commitment?

Volunteer services are flexible enough to work around most schedules. There are no set schedules; it all depends on the needs of our teams and your availability. Two to four hours a week is encouraged.

How do you support new volunteers?

You will have a Volunteer Program Coordinator who is responsible for training, supervising, supporting and scheduling your work. Our staff is also available to you by phone or in the office. There are also volunteer support group meetings, in-services, phone calls, newsletters, and more to keep you connected. Working with our staff, you will be able to decide when to accept client assignments without supervision.

Will I ever be expected to be present when a client dies?

This is up to you, the patient and his/her loved ones. Hospice offers to be present at the time of death if the family requests this support. Volunteers who sit with a client during the death process are there entirely by choice.

What type of environment will I be working in?

We care for patients wherever they live: in private or nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and group homes. If you’re not directly involved in patient care, you will work at a local Hospice of Michigan office.